Very refreshing, Peaceful, entertaining. Review on Singapore, General

We wanted to go on a holidaying for a week and chose Singapore / Malaysia in the month of August, somewhat off season to visit the countries. We got visas in time, thanks to faster visa processing, more so the Malaysian visas with their 4 offices in southern India. One need not avail travel agents as both countries are friendly to tourism. Singapore of course scores high and is the first world country close to our home.

Tiger airways offered lower fares to Singapore (Air Asia offer best fare for KL) at INR 20, 000/- per person just fare (no free check in baggage). Opted for 20KG check in baggage which cost 1500 per person, to choose seat in advance pay 200/-, funny isn’t it?

Once on board we can buy tasty hot food, though I found it lil odd they don’t even serve first 300ml water free. We reached Singapore by morning local time, we were guided by local tourism, collected some pamphlets on interesting places, reached Terminal 2 of MRT, soon in Little India where we checked in Fragrance hotel. Rooms are just ok but well kept.

Day1:

We rested for some time and in evening went to Harbour front. Got on Hippo Hop-in Hop-off cruise  (adult: 18$)  across quays, marina bay sands, later Merlion park. S’pore culture is evident with tidy places, friendly locals but not obtrusive. We returned back to hotel after having dinner and a stroll in Little India which reminds Chennai Pondy bazaar with lots of flowers, fragrance, Temples, varied food.

Day2:

Planned for Sentosa island, took bus to Orchards from then NE line to Harbour front MRT. Moved to Sentosa express at Vivo city. We took package trip which costed us 55$ each, costly but worth it.

‘Cable Car’ provides scenic view of city, harbour and Island. We could see star cruises at harbour which are definite photo Opp.

‘Merlion Walk’, pathway of over 100mt leading to a gallerys of Merlion (half fish and half lion, official symbol of Singapore) where an animated show on history of S’pore can be viewed of how Lord parameshwar, grandson of Alexander the great (odd isn’t it?) found the city, after seeing this animal Merlion, he kept the name Singapura “the lion city”

We also browsed thru insect kingdoms, Mount faber park quickly before heading to interesting ‘under water world’ and Dolphin world. Really enjoyed watching the blue world wonders. By dusk, we were ready for light, fire musical mindblower ‘songs of the sea’ show, you cannot miss this stunner. We felt little hectic, to cover all of Sentosa in detail you may just need another half a day.

Day3:

We planned our day early, bought Zoo-Jurong bird park package (adult: 34$ each) online, reached MRT to Boon lay and then by bus to reach Jurong. Truly amazing, we get to see over 3000+ birds across 380 species – macaws, flamingos, hawks. Even large aviaries – African waterfall, Lory loft varieties. Mindblowing to see ‘birds of Prey’.  We moved onto Zoo in the after noon

S’pore Zoo is another attraction, one shouldn’t miss. Zoo in Indian context might just be a timepass location and kinda monkeys we see outside animal closets inciting them by throwing stones, eateries etc.. it’s a complete scene change. S’pore zoo is Best leisure attraction with lush greenery and happy animals. Took Tram to cover it and saw "Rainforest fights back" & "Elephants at work and play" shows which are truly entertaining. Californian sea lions are exclusive attraction.

While returning found some time and energy left in us to catch on ‘Singapore flyer’ (30$ /person) 3600   panoramic view of Singapore. Also watched ‘Journey to dreams’ an engaging 3D show on S’pore history briefly. We done with dinner, rested for the day after hectic day.

Day 4:

We planned a relatively leisure day but it turned out to be not so. Visited China town for buying Souvenirs, gifts, later watched laser show at Suntech city. At Little India Mustafa, LED TVs relatively cheap but back home will be taxed anyway by customs.

Bought some aromatic soaps, creams, also exchanged for Malay ringgits. Though we kept our visit lil under wraps, some of my friends tracked and invited us to visit their homes. We snacked there and all of us headed to Harbour front into Vivo city, a wonder mall.

Later, we spent time at Merlion Park on mouth of the Singapore River, just few hundred meters away from where river joins the sea.  Merlion is almost 20 feet tall and fountain of water released from it’s mouth into the sea in a symbolic fashion. Returned to hotel, packed to KL.

I found Singapore very beautiful with attractions all around, where new skyline evenly blends with greenery. Just wonder how they could put all that in a limited space in a scenic way.

We proceeded to KL

(Read my Malaysia visit  https://mouthshut.com/review/Malaysia-General-review-ntppmlltnr )